February 5th, 2010
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles recently announced, effective February 1, 2010, registration reintatements will increase from $50 to $100.
This, unfortunately, is a huge increase that seems to discriminate against citizens that are having the toughest time paying their bills.
The people that need to have registrations reinstated are those that have let their registration lapse due to, typically, unpaid/cancelled auto insurance and non-renewed registrations due to parking & excise tax payment problems.
In this instance, although I “get” the concept of increasing fees to generate revenue, it appears as though this increase is too penal. For those down on their luck (& bank account) it’s insult to injury and will probably result in an increase of unregistered autos on the road.
Tags: MA RMV fees, MASS RMV News, Registration reinstatements, Registry Fee increase
Posted in MA Auto Insurance News & Notes, MA Registry of Motor Vehicles | No Comments »
February 2nd, 2010
Today we’re going to highlight another A rated, strong domestic company, Safety Insurance’s, auto insurance program called the “Safety Shield.” Consumers can add the “Safety Shield” endorsement to their Mass auto policy for a fee of $25.
This endorsement provides:
Disappearing Collision Deductible
Rental Vehilce Loss of Income
Guaranteed Replacement Cost
… and includes a host of other enhancements including: Personal Effects Coverage, Extended Substitute Transportation, Emergency Road Travel Expenses, Supplemental Towing and Labor, Air Bag Coverage.
Posted in MA Auto Company Discounts, MA Auto Insurance News & Notes | No Comments »
February 1st, 2010
This is Part 1 of a “I don’t know how many number of Parts series” on different insurance companies insurance programs. Do I smell internet Pulitzer? In this personal auto insurance day & age & particularly in this, formerly repressed auto insurance world AKA Massachusetts, it is more important than ever to have an independent agent working & shopping on your behalf. Companies have different market niches and so many different discount & insurance programs (& they’re changing frequently) it can be difficult to keep up, even if you do it for a living.
Today, we’ll start with an old school mutual (& feisty) company:Â Vermont Mutual.
Vermont Mutual Insurance burst onto the MA auto insurance scene along with Managed Competition. Our Agency has long carried Vermont Mutual as a property-only carrier. There prices were competitive in certain markets, they carried high A financial ratings, and their service outstanding. Without auto, however, they were pretty low on our “mouth to feed” ladder. Production was slow & steady & they, as a company, were fine with that.Â
We were pleasantly surprised when we started rating new business and renewal auto insurance with Vermont Mutual.
Not only were their rates competitive, their rates were fantastic.
As an experienced auto carrier in the other New England states & New York, they immediately offered a coverage enhancement called the Vermont Mutual “Auto Advantage Endorsement.” For a $35 fee, the best drivers (99 & 98 drivers) receive:
Deductible Rewards - Disappearing Collision deductible
Accident Forgiveness
New Car Replacement
Auto Loan/Lease Gap Coverage
Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts Guarantee Coverage
Enhanced Towing & Labor
Emergency Travel Expense Coverage - Lodging & Meals
Enhanced Substitute Transportation Coverage, along with some additional, lesser coverage enhancements.
Tags: Auto Advantage Endorsement, MA auto news, Massachusetts Insurance, Vermont Mutual Insurance
Posted in MA Auto Company Discounts, MA Auto Insurance News & Notes | No Comments »
January 29th, 2010
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles closed the door on their Beverly location as of Friday, January 22nd, 2010. On Monday, January 25th they opened their new “express” Registry in Danvers at the Liberty Tree Mall.
The express office can handle all registry transactions except road and permit tests and suspensions.
In addition, the RMV offers more services online in an attempt to streamline, save money, and become more user-friendly.
You can visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles online at:Â http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/Â
Tags: MA RMV news, Mass Registry of Motor Vehicles, Massachusetts, RMV
Posted in MA Auto Insurance News & Notes, MA Registry of Motor Vehicles | No Comments »
January 28th, 2010
Managed Competition, from most witnesses, has been a good thing. Companies have sharpened their pencils and consumers have enjoyed increased discounts on both home and auto insurance. Long neglected MA auto insurance consumers now share some of the neat insurance programs enjoyed across the rest of the country. Things such as: good student discounts, accident forgiveness, disappearing deductibles and paid in full discounts are now part of the Massachusetts auto insurance consumer lexicon.
As originally feared by this MA auto insurance agent, the backlash to all this good-will, advanced programs, and rate give-away is the consumer most down on his/her luck.
The consumer with payment problems and cancelled policies.
Most companies are now requiring 100% premium payment from consumers with cancelled policies.Â
(… To be continued)
Tags: backlash to auto insurance "give away", ma auto insurance crackdown
Posted in MA Auto Insurance News & Notes, Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agents | No Comments »
December 2nd, 2009
We rate auto insurance in Massachusetts with seven companies. We shop for coverage and applicable discount programs. Â
Rates and discounts are important, but more important from an asset protection perspective, are your liability limits.
Your Part 5, Optional Bodily Injury to Others, coverage is the heart of the policy. This is the protection that is available to someone that you injure in an accident. We recommend limits of AT LEAST $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident. You may want to consider limits of $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident & a Personal Liability Umbrella Policy.
Umbrella Policies start at $1,000,000 of Personal Liability Coverage that sits over your auto & home liability limits. The annual cost for a $1,000,000 Umbrella Policy, sitting over one home & two autos, is approximately $180.
Recently a longtime client decided to (finally) improve his liability limits to $250,000/$500,000 and purchase Umbrella Coverage.
To help offset some of the additional expense, the client increased his vehicles’ Collision Coverage deductible from $500 to $1,000.Â
Tags: asset protection, ma auto insurance
Posted in MA Auto Insurance News & Notes | No Comments »
October 12th, 2009
Auto insurance in Massachusetts.
Over the past 18 months auto insurance in Massachusetts has turned into a veritable Wild West. Auto rates are all over the place depending on an - almost -Â overwhelming number of variables.
There has never been a better time to shop your insurance coverage.
By packaging your home, condominium, or renter’s policy with your auto there are savings available on both products.
There are discounts available for things like: mileage, anti-theft, multi-car, multi-account, AAA, good student, open groups, good driver, driver’s education, advanced driver training and on & on & on.
By utilizing our http://www.Massautoquote.com service you are using an Independent Agent that will rate your coverage with, at least, seven companies that write insurance in Massachusetts.
E-mail us info@massautoquote.com or call us at: 781-246-8699.
Tags: , MA insurance, new Massachusetts Auto Insurance
Posted in MA Auto Insurance News & Notes, Managed Competition, Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agents, Moving to Massachusetts, Tips To Save You Money | No Comments »
September 21st, 2009
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/fees/other/index.htm#titles
Following are updated Registry of Motor Vehicles Fees:
Note: Commercial and trailer fees are determined by weight. The “registered gross weight” is the vehicle weight plus the maximum intended weight the registrant intends to carry at one time. It is up to the registrant to fix the registered weight depending on intended use (and the capacity of the vehicle as set by the manufacturer). It is a violation of law to operate a vehicle beyond its “registered gross weight.”
Tags: MA Registry of Motor Vehicles Fees, Massachusetts Registry, RMV fees
Posted in MA Registry of Motor Vehicles | No Comments »
August 24th, 2009
In an attempt to de-mystify the annual, pesky excise tax we offer the following excise tax information:
Excise bills are prepared by the RMV according to information on the registration. They are sent to city/ town assessors who commit them to local tax collectors for distribution.The excise tax rate is $25 per $1,000 of valuation (NADA) subject to the following percentage formula:In the model year: 90%; second year: 60%; third year: 40%; fourth year: $25%; fifth year & beyond: 10%.
If you have turned in your plates on the vehicle you are getting excise taxed on, or if you have transferred plates and got rid of the vehicle, you may be eligible for abatement. Abatement instructions are located on your excise tax bill.
For more information click: MA Excise Tax Information
Tags: MA Excise Tax information
Posted in MA Auto Insurance News & Notes | No Comments »
July 30th, 2009
The state’s driving record surcharge penalty for a lapsed inspection sticker is the same as the surcharge penalty for a speeding ticket. So, take a look at the inspection sticker on your windshield. Please call us with any questions.
Click: here for find a local inspection site
Tags: MA inspection sticker, mass inspection sites, massachusetts annual auto inspection
Posted in MA Auto Insurance News & Notes, Moving to Massachusetts | No Comments »
